Video and pictures: McLaren unveils vision of F1 cars and racing in 2050

At this point of the year many Formula 1 fans are counting down the days until the new cars are launched for the upcoming season.

All ten teams are busy working hard on their new 2019 models, but one group is also looking a bit further ahead in time.

McLaren, who are based in Woking, have unveiled their vision of what Formula 1 will look like in 2050.

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In its project titled “Future grand prix: the pursuit of possible” McLaren Applied Technologies has focused on the cars, drivers, circuits and technologies that could feature when F1 celebrates its centenary 30 years from now.

Central to McLaren’s vision of the future is a 500km/h “inductively charged, electric racing machine” codenamed “MCLExtreme”.

Featuring active aerodynamics and on-board artificial intelligence (AI) co-pilots the future of F1 cars certainly looks exciting.

Rodi Basso, McLaren Applied Technologies’ motorsport director, said: “At McLaren we never stand still. We are always looking to innovate to find the solution for tomorrow today.

“In recent years, we have seen concepts and ideas about how a Formula 1 car could look and operate in the future. However, this is the first time anyone has given detailed thought and insight into a viable vision of motorsport in the future.

“This is a hugely exciting and thought-provoking vision. One that includes the views of fans, university students, McLaren’s drivers and our talented team at McLaren Applied Technologies.

“Our hope is for this to stimulate debate about how motorsport responds to changes in technology and sports entertainment trends to ensure we can meet the needs of fans in 2050.”

In pictures: MCLExtreme

Images: McLaren Applied Technologies/Twitter